LaredoBuzz.Com

Courtesy Xochitl Mora,

35 Cities, 11 Mexican States represented within 150 booths

 Laredo, Tx– What does the Laredo International Sister Cities Festival and the San Antonio Spurs have in common?  The answer is their fans!  In an effort to bring together the cities of Laredo and San Antonio, Texas, as well as communities across Mexico, a new feature at this year’s annual Expo and Festival – which will feature over 150 booths selling and showcasing Mexican products of every kind – will be the Spurs Fan Experience. 

 “Adding the presence of a very popular professional sports team in South Texas and throughout Mexico to the Sister Cities Festival gives it a fresh angle and another level of appeal,” said Blasita J. Lopez, Laredo Convention and Visitors Bureau Director.  “People who may not have considered coming to the Laredo Energy Arena for our traditional and wonderful Mexican offerings of food, jewelry, clothing, liquor, furniture and other goodies, might just make the trip to catch a glimpse of any one of their championship trophies, or get a photo with one of the Spurs Silver Dancers. I think that once they are at the Festival, they will want to stay and experience everything there is to offer at the event.”

 The three-day event, set for July 22-24, will feature the Spurs Fan Experience on Friday, July 22, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  It will consist of the Spurs’ four NBA championship trophies, members of the Silver Dancers team, one VIP guest, a special static display trailer outside the main entrance to the Laredo Energy Arena (LEA), along with inflatable interactive components.  

The traditional ambience of international interchange, tourism and trade, cultural connections, artistry and hand-made wares are all going to be featured throughout the 150 booths expected to be set up at the LEA during the remainder of the award-winning project entitled the Laredo International Sister Cities Festival (LISCF).

 The hours of operation are:

• Friday, July 22: Opening Ceremony @ 9:00 a.m.; Expo: 10:00 – 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, July 23: Expo 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• Sunday, July 24: Expo 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

 The ninth annual event kicks-off with a splendid bilingual opening ceremony at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, July 22, at the Laredo Energy Arena.  The LEA is transformed over the three-day event to hold such exotic items as beautiful artisan produced and hand crafted furniture, jewelry and clothing.  Carne seca, tortillas, and candy are a few of the items that one can sample. along with products for sale such as silk rebozos, linen gowns, leather goods, wool sarapes and a variety of other clothes and accessories grace some of the hundreds of exhibits set up on the arena floor and concourse.

 Recognizing the importance of the Festival and the opportunity for exposure in the U.S. market, many Sister Cities have always attended in full regalia and bring in delegations including their government leaders that include: Estado de Mexico, Nayarit, Tamaulipas, Guanajuato, Puebla, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, Jalisco, Morelos, Veracruz and San Luis Potosi.

 Laredo hosts visitors from afar with dignitaries choosing to travel with their respective cities’ vendors.  Many elected officials from established Sister Cities come into Laredo to strengthen the tie and rekindle the friendships that pick up right where they left off the last time they visited. 

 Other gobernadores, alcaldes and members of city councils come in representing their cities and intending to sign a Sister City agreement, this year taking place on Sunday, July 24, at the LEA Club Level, during the Mayor’s Breakfast.  Attendees will witness three new sisters and a renewal signing ceremony.  The Festival has been known as the premier venue for signing such agreements in the past. 

 Laredo is a model city in establishing Sister City relationships with over 30 of its own agreements currently in place.  The festival has grown from 48 vendors its first year at the Laredo Civic Center to over 150 now in its ninth year.